By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    benefits of using protein powder to build muscles
    Protein Powder for Muscle Mass: Everything You Need to Know
    December 12, 2021
    changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare
    Technology In The Healthcare Industry
    March 28, 2022
    What Does Core Body Temperature Say About Health?
    August 17, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    FDA Approves Diabetes Pill
    May 2, 2011
    Patient Gets Drunk on Hand Sanitizer
    June 20, 2011
    Cultivating Health Improvement
    July 20, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Should You Recommend Bariatric Surgery to Obese Patients?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health care > Should You Recommend Bariatric Surgery to Obese Patients?
Health careObesitySpecialties

Should You Recommend Bariatric Surgery to Obese Patients?

Larry Alton
Last updated: February 5, 2021 7:41 am
Larry Alton
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

  Obesity is one of the biggest health problems facing American society. It?s a struggle to instill basic nutrition and exercise habits into your patients. Those who ignore your advice develop a number of serious, life-threatening problems. It seems like bariatric surgery could be an easy way out, but is it the best thing for your patient? As the presiding medical officer, you?ll have more insights about the best course of action. In some cases, bariatric procedures are extremely beneficial for patients and in other cases, it?s better to stick to more traditional methods of weight loss. As you review your patient?s case, consider the following factors. Is the Patient a Good Candidate? Bariatric surgery not only has its risks, but it?s also a life changing procedure. It?s important that candidates be in general good health without exterior risks that could make the surgery more dangerous. These procedures can be extremely effective and useful for patients, but they?re usually more of a last resort than a first choice. Typically patients are only considered if they have a BMI of 40 or higher, and have first tried other methods of weight loss without success. It may also be recommended for those classified as obese with a BMI of 35-39 with serious weight-related health problems like type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea. Go over these conditions with your patient to make sure they understand the severity of their condition and their future health. Weight loss surgery should not be considered for those who don?t meet the qualifications above. It?s not a surgery that patients can simply request. If they don?t meet these conditions but still request bariatric surgery, explain why it would not be a good idea in their condition. Will It Be Effective? The physical need for bariatric surgery will be the first factor. If it?s a matter of life or death, or it could extend their overall lifespan by a decade, the procedure is worth considering. You know the risks of bariatric procedures, and it?s also an expensive procedure that may or may not be fully covered by the patient?s insurance. For that reason, you should also consider whether or not the procedure will be effective. There are a couple of factors to consider here. The first is the severity of the patient?s condition. In some cases, the potential complications may outweigh the benefits, making it less effective. If a patient is taking a medication or has a condition that makes them gain weight despite the procedure, it may be better to consider another alternative to weight loss. Secondly, consider the patient?s personal capacity for sticking with the diet that follows the procedure. Patients who undergo bariatric surgeries must stick to a strict diet with an eventual exercise routine for the effects to be long lasting. Some patients with compulsive eating disorders or other behavioral problems may not be able to safely sustain their weight loss. It?s important to carefully evaluate the habits and lifestyle of patients being considered for bariatric surgery. If there are factors that will impede the after program, first focus on changing habits before surgery begins in order to increase the chances of success. Can the Patient Afford It? Like any medical procedure, bariatric surgery can be costly. Influential factors include the patient, type of procedure, severity of the condition, insurance coverage, and location. Without insurance, such a procedure can cost more than $20,000. Some insurance firms won?t cover the procedure or the coverage will be minimal. Even though physicians often classify weight loss surgeries as primary to the patient?s health, many insurances consider it to be cosmetic. Before considering bariatric procedures with your patient, go over the medical costs and have them check with their insurance providers. If they can?t afford it, you may want to go a different route. Bariatric surgery shouldn?t have the bad reputation it?s gained over the years. It?s important to carefully consider the positives and negatives with your patient before pursuing the best course of action for their condition.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Dental health
May 21, 2025
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
Dental health
May 21, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025

You Might also Like

Dangers of Pneumonia for the Elderly

January 15, 2013
Artificial IntelligenceHealth care

Why Education Is The Key To Wider Implementation Of AI In Healthcare?

January 17, 2020
Image
Medical DevicesOrthopaedics

Spine Surgery Still Reliant on Spine Fusion

April 22, 2011
ortho independence HIS
BusinessOrthopaedics

7 Tips for Entrepreneurial Orthopedic Surgeons to Stay Independent

January 30, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?